Seattle – Nicholas W. Brown was sworn in today as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Mr. Brown previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the office from 2007 to 2013. From 2013 to 2017, Mr. Brown served as General Counsel to Governor Jay Inslee, and was a partner with Pacifica Law Group in Seattle when he was nominated by President Joe Biden to be U.S. Attorney 0n July 26, 2021. Mr. Brown’s nomination was approved by the full U.S. Senate on September 30, 2021. Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez administered the oath of office.
“I am humbled to return to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and my outstanding colleagues, who devote their careers to seeking justice and public service,” said U.S. Attorney Brown. “The work of the office is vitally important and incredibly challenging, and the issues facing our justice system today require our full dedication. As the chief law enforcement officer in Western Washington, I am excited about working with our communities and federal partners to improve public safety and to ensure civil rights for all our residents.”
U.S. Attorney Brown leads an office comprised of both criminal prosecutors and civil litigators. The civil division is tasked with defending the government in a variety of litigation and bringing affirmative cases to protect civil rights and in cases of waste, fraud and abuse. U.S. Attorney Brown will also oversee an appellate unit that handles litigation before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
In his previous five years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Brown handled more than 100 cases ranging from complex firearm and drug trafficking matters, to child sexual abuse in Indian Country, and financial fraud. As General Counsel to Governor Inslee, Mr. Brown was involved in a wide range of critical issues including high-priority litigation, criminal justice policy, tribal gaming and Indian law, and clemency petitions. For Pacifica Law Group, Mr. Brown focused his practice on assisting public and private clients with complex civil and regulatory litigation, public policy, municipal law, and political matters.
An Army veteran, Mr. Brown served in the Judge Advocate General Corps from 2003 to 2007 at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), Fort Bliss, Texas, and Bagdad, Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 2005.
Mr. Brown has volunteered his time for a number of public service and non-profit organizations, including Seattle Ethics and Elections, the Campaign for Equal Justice, the Washington State Bar Association Leadership Institute, Seattle Works, and Treehouse. Mr. Brown is also active in the Federal Bar Association.
A Western Washington native, Nicholas Brown received his BA Magna Cum Laude from Morehouse College in 1999, and his JD from Harvard Law School in 2002. He graduated from Steilacoom High School in 1995.
Mr. Brown takes over as U.S. Attorney from Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. She previously served as First Assistant United States Attorney under U.S. Attorney Brian Moran, who left the office in February 2021, with the change in administration. Ms. Gorman remains with the office.
Engaging in outreach in order to prevent crime, respond to community needs, and promote good citizenship.
Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect
Our nation-wide commitment to reducing gun crime in America